"Russians are only now noticing that it is war"
The war between Ukraine and Russia has recently expanded into Russian territory, with a Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region. In doing so, Ukraine wants to put political pressure on Russia, hoping that this will make the Russian population to protest against the war.
Mychajlo Podoljak, advisor to President Zelensky, believes this could lead to political changes in Russia, he told Dutch television.
"Russians now notice what war means," Podoljak said. "For two years it was OK: you know people are being killed somewhere, but it doesn't bother you. Now the problems do get very close, and that puts pressure on politics."
According to Podoljak, Ukraine wants the counter-offensive in Russia to influence public opinion in Russia: "The war shifts to Russian territory. Then a large-scale protest will follow and that will result in political change in Russia. That is the only way to a just end to this war."
(Fausto by Tagtik/Source: NOS/Illustration picture: picture alliance / Photoshot | -)
